Zach Charbonnet finally got his chance to be the undisputed RB1 for the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately, that lasted approximately two months of the offseason while he was rehabbing a torn ACL.
Charbonnet was pegged for a larger role in the Seattle offense after spending the previous three seasons in an occasionally electric platoon alongside Kenneth Walker III. Walker, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, decamped for Kansas City in free agency in March, where he's revitalized the Chiefs. In his place came first-round pick Jadarian Price, who was part of his own incredible tailback duo with Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame.
Charbonnet's recovery and Price's chest injury has forced the Seahawks to rely on Emanuel Wilson as their top back in recent weeks.
While he's been a reliable fill-in, he's also averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and racked up -48 rushing yards over expected (RYOE) in five games. That puts some pressure on Charbonnet's return for a 3-2 team whose offense ranks 26th in expected points added (EPA) to start the year.
When will Zach Charbonnet return to the Seahawks' lineup?
Charbonnet was ruled out for Week 6's Thursday Night Football matchup with the Denver Broncos after being a limited participant in team practices during the short week. Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, he has a "legitimate chance" to return for Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs -- a chance to show off in front of his old platoon-mate. Kansas City's run defense ranks just outside the top 10, which means he'll have to get up to speed quickly in order to have an impact in a potential Super Bowl 61 preview.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: When will Zach Charbonnet return from injury for the Seahawks?
